Today, we as Church, celebrate the arrival of Three Wise Men, to that scene at Bethlehem that we all know so well. We’ve read the story. We’ve seen it in movies. We’ve seen countless Nativity sets that illustrate it for us. And it must have been such a happy occasion. The Three Wise Men had traveled for a long time. They must have really looked forward to finding this baby. There was the star. There were presents. And there was even this whole action/ adventure aspect of the story, with King Herod wanting to kill the Baby Jesus. This is great stuff. It’s an awesome story. It would make a good movie. But what if, instead of the “Three Wise Men”, what if it was the “Three Wise Guys”? Can’t you just see Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino playing the Three Kings? They’d get off their camels and say things like, “You talk’in to me?” and “I’m gonna make you an offer you no canna refuse”, and “Fahgettaboutit!”. For gifts, instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Three Wise Guys would probably bring gold chains, Armani cologne, and a 1978 Cadillac Eldorado. It’s a scary thought. It’s probably best that St. Matthew calls them “Magi”.

History knows them, as the Three Wise Men – Not Wise Guys, Wise Men. Today’s Feast asks us to think about what is “wise” and what is “wisdom”. For some people, to be “wise”, you have to have several college degrees or at least a lot of education. But isn’t there a difference between being wise, and being educated, or even learned? Others would say that to be “wise” that you have to have a lot of power or influence or control. And yet how many international leaders over the last several years have had lots of power or influence or control, but lacked true wisdom in exercising that authority. Then there are those who hold that to be truly “wise” you have to have a lot of money and wealth. And while wealth and riches are sometimes the product of being wise or shrewd in business, it doesn’t seem to me to be a necessary correlation that all wealthy people are “wise”. In fact, we read all the time about very wealthy people who do very unwise things with their lives and their money. So what is “wisdom? What does it mean to be “wise” ? And why do we call these Three Kings “wise men”?

True “wisdom” is knowing the truth – what is true, what is good, and what is lasting. As we progress through this life, we should be growing in “wisdom”. And this means that we should be getting closer and closer to the Truth, and what is good, and what is lasting. The Wise, both men and women, abhor deceitfulness and lies, because they are distractions and a waist of time. The Wise avoid evil. It is not what we were created for. Evil perverts the truth. Evil doesn’t last. True goodness does. And the Wise are concerned about those things that last and endure. They have a bigger picture. They are concerned about what is coming next. These Three Kings meet this criterion. They are seeking The Truth. It is their wisdom that demands that they get on their camels and follow a star. And while at first, this doesn’t seem like such a “wise” thing to do, what if that’s what you had to do, to find the Truth? Would you get on a camel? Would you leave your comfortable home? Would you follow a star? The Truth is what lasts. The Truth is what this life is all about. As believers, we would say that God is the “Ultimate” Truth. To seek Him, is TRUE WISDOM. He is the Way to Eternal Life. So what ARE you willing to do?

This Feast of the Epiphany challenges all of us to be TRULY wise. Today we need to have that Wisdom that is a Gift of the Holy Spirit. We need to seek the Truth in our lives and in our world. We need to find the good in ourselves and in others. And we need to seek those things that last forever – And that’s not money, or things, or anything in this physical world. It’s Jesus. It’s His Kingdom. It’s the life of Grace that keeps our minds and our hearts set on a better world that is to come. Hopefully, the Three Kings were not the last “wise” people to find Jesus. A light goes on. A realization takes place. An epiphany, an awareness happens. It happened to the Three Kings or Magi because they were “wise”. God revealed Himself. What is that God so desperately wants to reveal to you today? God continues to surprise and amaze people of true wisdom every single day. Are you wise? How can you grow in wisdom?

The Bible says that a healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We’re dealing with God here. This is the most important part of our lives. The Three Wise Men knew that. They would risk it all to find God in their lives. That was then. That was them. How about you? Take some chances. Get off the couch. Try something new. Get involved. Seek the Truth. Be wise! And let’s see where it takes us.

May God bless us and reveal Himself to us on this great Feast Day, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… AMEN !!!

St. Maria Goretti … Pray for us !!!